Heather Ponting-Bather, UK

I’m thrilled to be taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon in 2018 as this year I will be celebrating two other landmarks – my 40th birthday and 10 years service as a leader with Girlguiding UK

I’m
thrilled to be taking part in the London Landmarks Half Marathon in 2018 as
this year I will be celebrating two other landmarks – my 40th
birthday and 10 years service as a leader with Girlguiding UK.

I live
with my husband, Matt, and two daughters, aged 7 and 5 in a village in North
Wiltshire and run a small graphic design and print business from a studio at
the bottom of my garden. I am the unit Guider of 1st Royal Wootton
Bassett Guides - where my leadership journey started 10 years ago, I’m
assistant leader with 2nd Royal Wootton Bassett Rainbows - joining
with my eldest daughter, I’m assistant District Commissioner for RWB and
Lyneham and a member of the Great Western (Swindon) Trefoil Guild.

I
became a leader after attending the 2007 World Scout Jamboree, working in the
Global Development Village with my then employer, Oxfam. I had such a fantastic
time working with lots of other people form all over the world and decided I
had to get in on the action! My husband has recently received his 20 year
service award for his role as a Scout leader in the village where he was a Cub,
Scout and now leader. In fact, he was a Scout when we got together back in
1994!

Guiding
is a tradition in my family, I have a photograph of my grandmother camping as a
Guide at our county campsite, which is now managed by a committee chaired by my
husband.

Last
summer I went on my first international Guiding trip to Switzerland and Our
Chalet, with 43 Guides and leaders from across our county. I had a fabulous
time, made new friends, tried new activities, and soaked up the atmosphere and
history of Our Chalet. I’m so grateful for the opportunities Guiding has given
me.

2018
is also an important year in history as it’s the Centenary of some women
gaining the vote for the first time in the UK, a subject we’ve been working on
and celebrating with the young people in my Guide unit.

I
started running aged 35 as a means of getting fit after having children and
getting some all important head space. I built up gradually and I’ve been a
member of my local running club, the Royal Wootton Bassett Hounds, for three
years. Last year Girlguiding Wiltshire North entered a 100-strong team in the
Race For Life, the girls and leaders raised just under £7,000 for Cancer
Research UK and it was a catalyst for other Guide leaders to start their
running journey.

Last
year I completed my first triathlon and my first marathon and I’m looking
forward to three half marathons in 2018, along with numerous 5ks, 10ks, Park
Runs, Fun Runs and who knows what else!

The
photograph was taken in Adelboden in 2017, just before a high altitude marathon
training run.